The haze was still lingering, but the smell of smoke was absent. This might just be the new normal. Theresa cooked up bacon and eggs outside on the grill to avoid heating or smelling up the RV. Kevin began his laptop triage while MJB and Theresa headed to the camp's laundry facilities.
Kevin also took this opportunity to perform an update of the firmware on the Phantom Quadcopter and associated controller. The steps to upgrade the firmware needed to be followed precisely to ensure the next drone take-off was not out of control. This involved logging on to the DJI website to identify the correct version of Firmware to down load and extract. Once downloaded and extracted, the firmware needed to be copied onto a sim card and a USB thumb drive. The sim card was then inserted into the Quadcopter and the Quad was turned on. Landing lights began to flash, the camera began to flop around on the gimbal, and buzzes and beeps were emitted from the Drone. Kevin monitored this display to determine the proper landing light colors and flashes and listen for the proper (one long and three short) beeps indicating that the firmware update had been completed. After 12 – 15 minutes the tell-tale signals were identified. Kevin powered down the Quadcopter, removed the sim card, placed the sim card back into the laptop and read the text message that was written as part of the up grade process. “Upgrade initiated.” “Upgrade Successful.” This was accompanied with a date and time stamp. Kevin then copied the upgrade messages to the proper directory on the laptop for future reference if needed.
He then followed the same procedure using the USB thumb drive on the controller. Again, Kevin monitored the controllers light display, buzzes and beeps for another 12 -15 minutes. At last, the controller provided the proper signals indicating that all was completed. Kevin followed the same procedure of removing the thumb drive, inserting it into the laptop to read the text messages and to save the information into a directory on the laptop for future purposes “IF NEEDED”. There was no test flight to confirm there would be no rabid Quadcopter response. This will be performed some other day. Stay tuned for that.
During the delicate drone operation, a park employee stopped at the campsite and began to layout a sprinkling system that ran the full length of the site and wound under the picnic table that Kevin was working at. “Are you planning to turn that on?” Kevin asked. “Hehmm,” was the reply from the park worker. “I am busy right now and would like to request this be done another time or day,” demanded Kevin. “Besides, it is supposed to rain tonight anyway,” Kevin went on to say in a softer tone. A blank stare was returned. Kevin realized he may not have made his point. Kevin then walked to the office to continue his attempt at requesting the site not become a pre-rain wet environment. “You know he is only doing his job,” was the desk attendant's lecture. “I appreciate that and would like to request a modification to his task on site 15,” Kevin slowly replied while thinking to himself, “Why do the procedures not allow for modifications when the site is currently occupied and paying quests are outside in the area of the mobile sprinkler system?” “I will see what I can do,” was the attendant's response. Kevin left the office with little confidence that the area was not about to be soaked by a young man with a 'just doing his job' mentality. Let it also be known that this particular camp ground, Yellowstone River RV Resort, was the most expensive of the trip, and yet did not support full hook up, as well as it put two RV's in the same spot to share the same electrical hook up. The first RV in the site gets the 50 amp the second one is left with either 30 amp or a simple extension cord to feed the electrical needs of an RV. Kevin and Theresa do not recommend this camp ground to anyone.
Kevin than took the time remaining as laundry was still in process, to re-align the car top carrier on the toad. The car top carrier had shifted off center due to the constant wind and highway bump vibrations. Kevin also used the time to tighten the bike hitches on both the Toad and Smitanic due to those same highway bumps and vibrations play havoc on all systems.
Kevin than took the time remaining as laundry was still in process, to re-align the car top carrier on the toad. The car top carrier had shifted off center due to the constant wind and highway bump vibrations. Kevin also used the time to tighten the bike hitches on both the Toad and Smitanic due to those same highway bumps and vibrations play havoc on all systems.
Once the Laundry was completed the team continued more home front tasks in the comfort of the coach's AC as temps outside climbed to near 90. It was well into the late afternoon before any thought of a bike ride or walk was even considered. A new state was added to the brag map and weather was checked before any decisions were made.
A cool front was predicted to move in with an accompanying storm that evening. Cloud cover had started to bring the temps down a bit. In preparation for the predicted high winds, rain, and lightning; all bikes, awnings, chairs and the grill needed to be secured in case of any potential strong rains or winds.
A cool front was predicted to move in with an accompanying storm that evening. Cloud cover had started to bring the temps down a bit. In preparation for the predicted high winds, rain, and lightning; all bikes, awnings, chairs and the grill needed to be secured in case of any potential strong rains or winds.
As Kevin and Theresa secured the bikes on the Toad they were serenaded with some pleasant folk music coming from another site nearby. After everything was ship-shape they then opted to take Zin for a walk and investigate the singing.
A distinguished gray-haired man was sitting on a picnic table with his guitar just singing some of his favorite tunes. He had a very pleasant voice and seemed to have quite a repertoire of country, folk and gospel tunes. Introductions were made to discover that, Dave Rust, the retired Math Teacher turned School Superintendent, was now a North Dakota State Senator who enjoyed singing and playing the guitar in campgrounds! For fun, he sings with a group at various events.
He and his wife of 46 years, Claudia, were heading to Oregon to visit with their daughter. Kevin captured some of the entertaining conversation and singing in video (add links).
He and his wife of 46 years, Claudia, were heading to Oregon to visit with their daughter. Kevin captured some of the entertaining conversation and singing in video (add links).
The conversation was cut short so that dinner could be completed prior to the approaching storm. Tomorrow would continue into the Big Sky Country with a stop in Butte, MT at a KOA.
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